Interview: Louise Lombard

Longtime fans of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation will recognize a familiar face in this week’s episode, “Father of the Bride”. After an abrupt departure back in season eight, Louise Lombard returns as Sofia Curtis in a new capacity: deputy chief. In this exclusive interview with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders, Lombard speaks out about returning to the show after nearly four years, her part in the Nate Haskell (Bill Irwin) investigation, and her future involvement with the show.

CSI Files: It’s been almost four years since your last appearance on the show. How did the opportunity come up to reprise your role as Sofia Curtis?

Lombard: I had my second child 8 months back and wasn’t planning to head back to work yet, but I got the call from [executive producer] Carol Mendelsohn asking me to come back for an episode. I love Carol and CSI so I couldn’t say no.

CSI Files: Since we’ve last seen Sofia she’s moved up the ranks. Is there a backstory as to how Sofia is now the deputy chief?

Lombard: She’s a tough cookie and ambitious… she’s been busy in the past few years!

CSI Files: From what we hear there’s some tension between Sofia, Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger), Jim Brass (Paul Guilfoyle), and Dr Ray Langston (Laurence Fishburne). Do you think there’s a specific individual responsible for Haskell’s escape, or is it more of a group to blame?

Lombard: Her promotion doesn’t affect her relationship with Brass. There is and always has been deep respect and affection there. They’ve been in trenches together, such as in “A Bullet Runs Through It,” and that history transcends promotions or rank. Sofia just wants to find Haskell not point fingers.

CSI Files: While your appearance is just a one episode deal this season, have there been any discussions for you to return full-time again next year?

Lombard: There are no specific plans to bring Sofia back after tonight’s episode. But being back on the CSI set was wonderful. I joined the show when I was pregnant with my first child and had a nursery set up in my trailer after he was born. So my time on CSI, playing Sofia Curtis holds a special place in my heart. Seeing all the familiar faces was lovely and meeting new ones such as Laurence Fishburne was a joy. He is a generous, thoughtful man and a superb actor. I loved working with him.

Shane Saunders is a freelance writer and reviewer.